Iran FM visits China to discuss economic ties
Iran's Foreign Ministry says the goal behind the FM's China visit is to hold talks on political and economic relations.
Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, will hold discussions with Chinese officials regarding political relations, the implementation of previous deals, and joint economic cooperation.
The Foreign Ministry also added in a statement on Thursday that Amir-Abdollahian will also hold discussions regarding the 25-year deal signed between the two countries in March last year.
Heading a high-ranking delegation, the Iranian Foreign Minister traveled to China on Thursday, responding to a previous invitation by his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
In his first visit as Foreign Minister, Amir-Abdollahian will meet high-ranking Chinese officials. The Chinese FM had visited Tehran in April to sign the comprehensive Iran-China cooperation deal.
The two foreign ministers also met by video conference in November and discussed the positive changes in the relationship between Iran and China in the past months.
The two countries are strengthening cooperation as both are rapidly progressing in their respective chief economic markets.
China exports soar
China's exports recorded a heavy increase in 2021 as global demand rose following 2020 lockdowns on account of the pandemic. The Chinese overall trade surplus jumped to a record high, a clear shift from the slowdown recorded in 2020.
Iran oil exports up by 40%
Iranian oil exports have increased by 40% in comparison with the last quarter under the last administration, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi announced Thursday.
"Our oil exports have risen by such an amount that we are not worried," Raisi said, adding that oil revenues had started making it back into the Islamic Republic.
Trade deals with China and Venezuela, and the circumvention of sanctions, have allowed capital to flow back into Iran, although still with great difficulty considering the US' unilateral sanctions on the West Asian country.
The JCPOA's revival is expected to set Iran up for a secure position as a stronger regional player if its economic situation further improves. Iran is asking for guarantees that the US will abide by the agreement this time around.